Piano chord
Em6E minor sixth
- E1
- G♭3
- B5
- C♯6
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 9semitones
- Fingers
- 1-2-4-5
How to play Em6 on piano
- Find E: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on E, 2 on G, 4 on B, 5 on C♯.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on E, 4 on G, 2 on B, 1 on C♯.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · E – G – B – C♯
1st inversion · G – B – C♯ – E
2nd inversion · B – C♯ – E – G
3rd inversion · C♯ – E – G – B
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
Em6 inversions
Here are all 4 positions of Em6. The notes stay the same, only their order changes: root position has E at the bottom, and every inversion starts on the next chord tone.
- Root positionbass: ERight hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: GRight hand 1-3-4-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: BRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
- 3rd inversionbass: C♯Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-4-3-1
Em6 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays E an octave lower, the right hand plays E–G–B–C♯.
Em6 on other instruments
About the Em6 chord
The 4 notes of E minor sixth are E (1), G (♭3), B (5), C♯ (6). A minor sixth: a minor triad plus the major sixth. Dark and mysterious, common in jazz, tango and film music.
Put your thumb on E and count up: E – G – B – C♯. The whole chord spans 9 semitones from bottom to top. That fits inside an octave, so one hand covers Em6 without stretching.
The inversions of Em6 keep the same notes in a new order. In the 1st inversion the bass is G (G–B–C♯–E). In the 2nd inversion the bass is B (B–C♯–E–G). In the 3rd inversion the bass is C♯ (C♯–E–G–B).
Add C♯ to Em and you have Em6.
Questions
What notes are in the Em6 chord?
Em6 (E minor sixth) has 4 notes: E (1), G (♭3), B (5), C♯ (6).
How many inversions does Em6 have?
Em6 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (E–G–B–C♯); 1st inversion (G–B–C♯–E); 2nd inversion (B–C♯–E–G); 3rd inversion (C♯–E–G–B).
What is the difference between Em6 and Em?
Add C♯ to Em and you have Em6.
Can I play Em6 with one hand?
Yes. In root position Em6 spans 9 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.